Until years later when his Unit Leader met his Chosen. Kyele watched the formidable Torkel fall completely in love with the Earth woman, Faye, and knew then the possibility of a female wanting him enough that she wouldn't care about the blood on his hands or his parentage.

Joni Miller was that female. She was Kyele's obsession.

Right now, her smile tugged at his heart as she hugged her best friend, Sylvie Forrester as they sat across from one another in the room. The two of them had gone through a lot together as prisoners in an illegal Marenian slave auction. After their rescue, Sylvie had formed a relationship with his Jutak team mate, Arak O'tir, which thrilled Kyele. Not because his friend was happy, but because it meant Joni wouldn't leave Enotia. Kyele refused to consider how he'd react if Joni decided she didn't want to stay on his home world permanently. If the day ever came, it wouldn't be pretty.

He'd heard the talk.

Crazy.

Dangerous.

Hopeless.

Kyele agreed he was all of those things. Circumstances made him the way he was, but there were a few who earned a special place in his life. A small selection of people he'd never allow harm to come to.

Torkel made the list and by extension his Jutak brethren. Torkel for accepting him on the teams when the psych medics declared him high risk. His Jutak brethren because they placed their lives in his hands without blinking every time they went out on missions.

A few months ago, Kyele added another person to his short list. She sat on the other side of the room from him with a smirk on her face as she teased Sylvie. Joni attracted Kyele on all levels. She had an inner strength that couldn't be denied.

After her experience as a sex slave, one would expect the Earth female to withdraw or become quieter, but she hadn't. To Kyele she fairly sparkled. Her clothes. Her hair. Everything about Joni drew him and Kyele reaffirmed his vow right then and there as he watched her enjoying something as basic as being with her friend.

Nothing would ever happen to Joni. She belonged to him even if she didn't know it and he'd protect her with his dying breath despite the fact that he never planned to act on the wealth of feelings he had for her.

Joni continued to tease Sylvie as she tried to pretend she didn't feel the intense stare of the man standing across the room from them. Kyele Bastien. The new Team Leader for Team Two after Faruk's betrayal and subsequent death. She'd learned his full name after badgering Faye to find out.

Faye came from Earth to Enotia through the Singles Program as had Joni. SP as they called it was designed to pair women from Earth with men from other worlds due to the shortage of men on Earth. In theory it sounded great if one had the means of putting up the twenty-thousand dollar fee.

The results came with their own brand of danger, which Joni well knew. She'd been kidnapped by Marenians and sold as a sex slave. The same happened to Sylvie and the two discovered one another at an auction designed to sell women with a more rebellious nature.

"You went quiet all of a sudden. What's wrong, Joni?"

Joni met Sylvie's inquisitive stare. Something must have shown on her face, because the blonde woman reached over immediately and clasped Joni's hand across the table they shared in the large eating area. Amidst the background noise and laughter of the Jutaks present, the world narrowed down to a tight bubble that contained just the two of them.

Sylvie understood what Joni had gone through. Maybe to a lesser extent in some regards but the bond they formed from their experience could never be broken.

"I'm fine." Joni forced a smile, not wanting to ruin the moment.

Sylvia glanced over Joni's shoulder and her blue eyes glinted with mischief. "Your hot hunk of man love is staring. Better smile or he'll blame all of us for your frowns."

"He's not my hunk of man love." Joni kept her voice low and risked another look behind her.

Heated eyes of emerald clashed with her gaze. Breath lodged in her throat as Joni stiffened and dropped Sylvie's hand. Dark hair layered about a deeply tanned face, short enough to just graze his scalp but long enough she could imagine running her fingers through the field of black. He didn't have the smooth looks of an Enotian or the unnatural beauty of Rydak. His appeal lay in his demeanor. The rough hewn features, the scar that screamed danger and those wicked green eyes left Joni salivating.

Kyele didn't attempt to turn away, giving Joni an unobstructed view of the long scar carved into his left cheekbone and ending beneath his jaw line.

Joni had firsthand experience with the medical advances on Enotia and wasn't sure why he chose to walk around with such a visible reminder of something horrible in his past. The man obviously thrived on his deadly reputation. The first time Joni and he crossed paths, she'd thrown a knife at him. More than one.

Not her finest moment. Fear had guided her and an overload of adrenaline. But Kyele had lifted his arm and done something to send the blades flying into his hand without flinching. Something about the reckless move had turned her on and she'd been reluctantly attracted ever since.

Unable to break his stare, Joni wet her lips, her cheeks growing warm. Arousal stirred. His look promised things she didn't want to think about. Since she decided to stay on Enotia she and Kyele had not exchanged more than a handful of words. But that didn't stop Joni's awareness of the Team Two leader from growing each time she saw him.

Kyele for his part seemed just as drawn. Wherever she went, the enigmatic Jutak seemed to follow. Sometimes he watched her silently, never so much as saying a word. But he didn't have to when his eyes spoke for him. They whispered of the wicked things he'd do if Kyele got the chance. Joni shivered and ripped her gaze away with a twist of her head.

"Whew!" Sylvie fanned her face. "Say what you want about Arak and I but being around you two requires a cold shower and an orgasm or two."

Joni's mouth fell open. "I can't believe you said that."

Sylvie snapped her fingers in Joni's face. "Believe it."

Joni batted her hand down, lips curling upward. "You better be glad you're my best friend."

Sylvie fluttered her lashes. "Your very, very bestest friend."

Joni could only shake her head. "Tell me again why I love you?"

"No need. It's obvious I'm awesome." Sylvie brushed her hands together as if it was all in a day's work.

Jaron finished his conversion with the brothers Gregir and Geile and came over. He slid on the seat beside Joni and straddled the chair, his blue eyes full of humor. Joni tensed, preparing for him to say something outrageous.

He winked at Sylvie and rested his head on Joni's shoulder. "Are you ready for our training session?"

Joni chuckled and shoved his head away. "Yes. I was just finishing lunch with Sylvie."

Joni lived in fear of being captured again. She never wanted to be that helpless again in her life. After speaking with Torkel, he agreed his team could teach her self-defense.

Based on their availability, Joni worked on a rotating schedule with the guys from Team One. Initially they took it easy on her, carefully explaining moves and working with her to maximize her strikes. After a few weeks they decreased the handholding and moved her to more advanced steps. To Joni's surprise she was quite adept at fighting. With months of their tutelage under her belt, she felt confident for the first time since her abduction. Today she and Jaron, the Team One Leader, were sparring.

"Meet you there." Jaron rapped his knuckles on the table and left as quickly as he'd arrived.

Joni rose to her feet, anxious to start but Sylvie stopped her with a question. "I'll see you later this week, right?"

Being alone in her apartment not far from the complex where the Jutak warriors were based wasn't easy for Joni. When they'd first arrived on Enotia, she and Sylvie had lived down the hall from one another in a building located in the city, but Arak had gradually convinced her friend to give up her residence and move in with him.

Joni didn't begrudge Sylvie her newfound happiness, but sometimes her heart ached at not having someone close. Someone to barge in on when the doubts and fears crept up on her.

"Joni?"

Shaking away the dark thoughts, Joni smiled. "I'll be here at two sharp for the picnic."

"Great." Sylvie relaxed and waved as Joni left.

Expecting to see Kyele waiting for her, Joni experienced a shaft of disappointment when she turned to find the doorway where he'd been standing empty. That was okay. He was one Enotian she needed to keep her distance from.

Chapter 4.

Kyele entered the room unobserved. Joni moved with precision about the room as she traded strikes with his fellow Jutak. Leaning against the wall, he noted the newly developed muscles in her slender arms. She'd grown more beautiful if possible, her body taking on a hidden strength due to her vigorous workouts.

Her garments were unexpected though. Usually, Joni surprised them with the provocative clothing she chose to wear. Earth clothing figured prominently in her wardrobe and any other race which caught her eye. Fabrics that wisped against her skin, baring all, skirts too short to do anything but draw a male's eyes to the long limbs displayed and shoes with spikes on the end that should have defied her ability to walk.

For training today, she'd gone with something more demure. A slight grimace tugged at the scar on Kyele's face. Demure by Joni's standards, he revised. Tiny straps made of metal rings held up the tight blue shirt that stopped at her belly. A tiny green jewel danced on the end of a silver hoop at the dip of her stomach. A belly ring, he'd heard Faye explain to Torkel when his Unit Leader couldn't pull his appalled gaze away.

Far from being turned off from the accessory, the little bead called to Kyele. Made him want to twirl his tongue around it and see if she'd shiver from the contact. Maybe her gold eyes would darken to deep amber, twisting his cock in knots in reaction. The very thought sent a vibration through Kyele's frame as his gaze dropped.

Sleek, black leather pants cupped her slight hips and enhanced the rounded curve of her ass. They followed the long line of her legs, then disappeared into a pair of black boots in a soft material. He fisted his hands at his sides and dragged his gaze back up.

Jaron landed a rough blow to Joni's chin, sending her staggering back with a gasp. Kyele tensed, losing his relaxed pose. Laughter filled the room as she re-engaged with a side kick to Jaron's head. The blond ducked and came up behind her, but Joni spun around and kicked again. Jaron jerked back too late, skidding on the floor.

Joni latched her arms around his waist and with a powerful hip twist sent the Team Leader flying over her head to crash into the blue mats on his back. Legs spread wide for balance, she stood over him and wiped at the sweat forming on her forehead. Jaron flipped to his feet with a push of his heels. He crouched low and narrowed his blue eyes as they circled one another.

"You have improved greatly." The words were said with admiration.

Joni's amber stare lightened. Her pleasure at the compliment did something to Kyele. He rubbed at the ache in his chest.

"Could I take one of you for real?"

Jaron paused and straightened, hands going to his waist. He tipped his head to the side, brows pinched. "You do not consider this...for real?"

Her delicate shoulders shrugged. "Well, I assume you aren't trying to kill me."

"Geile, you're next," Jaron called out to his fellow teammate. "I am not good enough for our guest."

The men exchanged smiles as they switched places. Joni cocked her hip to the side and tossed her gleaming red hair back. "Sensitive much?"

Her smile teased, showing her comfort in the verbal play with Jaron. Envy stabbed at Kyele and he rubbed at his chest harder. He wanted to be the one to bring out her smiles and laughter.

Geile stepped up to Joni, his hand squeezing her upper arm in friendship as he joined her. Kyele barely held back a rough growl at the touch.

"You have your weapons, female?"

Geile's question removed the smile from Joni's expression. Kyele froze wondering at the interplay. He remembered the first time she'd thrown the stolen Marenian knives at his face. A breath away, they skimmed his cheeks missing him. She never went anywhere without them.

Joni patted her lower back and Kyele noticed the small bumps beneath her shirt. "I have them."

"Good." Geile withdrew his own blade, one edge gleaming with jagged teeth.

Barushki. Why would Geile use the high grade military knife in practice combat with Joni? Had they done so before? Kyele should have paid more attention to these sessions, but he'd not trusted himself to see his friends so free with touching her when he didn't trust himself with the same privilege. Over the last three days he'd started spying on the trainings, wincing as she spent more time on the mats then on her feet. But Torkel assured him she was far better than they'd hoped and picked up what they taught quickly.

The only concern Torkel did voice was that Joni's desire to learn to fight bordered on obsessive, yet none of them had the heart to deny her.

Joni shook off the nerves. It wouldn't be the first time she used knives in her sparring with the guys, but dueling with blades always brought back the memory of the Marenians. Her time in the cells with aliens leering brought a sinking sensation to the pit of her belly. Pushing back the dark thoughts, she forced herself to relax by bouncing on her toes. The squishy mat beneath her feet grounded her in the present and kept the past where it belonged.

"Alright. I'm ready, Geile."

She enjoyed working out with the Enotian. Initially, he and his brother Gregir had the hardest time letting loose their full skills with Joni for fear they'd cause her permanent injury. After she punched them in their balls a few times, they'd revised their opinion to the sound of Jaron's and Arak's laughter. Davar, the last member of Team One had merely smirked.

Geile bent his knees, a smile spreading across his handsome face, blue eyes alight. "You will have to work to take me down today."

"Wait."

The sinful command whispered along Joni's nerve endings. Her knife was in her grip without conscious thought. She readied the one blade in her right hand, her other fingers loose on the handle of the other sheathed at the back of her waist. From the corner of her eyes, she glimpsed Kyele's dark figure entering the training room. He sent Geile a glare, and the blond winked at Joni before slinking to the corner with the other guys.

Her gaze narrowed as Kyele took up position across from her, assuming a fighting stance. He still wore his black uniform distinguishing him as a Jutak warrior. She'd yet to see any of the men in the formal white but quite often the red and black made appearances.

Sturdy black boots encased his feet. Weapons adorned his body all over from the laser blaster holstered at his hips to the blade sheathed at his thigh. Joni admitted to coveting his knife. The few times he drew the weapon, he handled it with an ease that promised he'd had ample practice. Sometimes he stroked the sharp end along his jaw line close to the scar which ravaged his features, at others he twirled it about his fingers at a speed that caused her pulse to pound. To her knowledge he'd never so much as nicked a finger.

"When are you going to start, Joni?"

Jaron's voice brought her from her reverie. Kyele remained unmoving beneath her gaze, his green eyes pinning her to the spot. She'd never seen eyes such a brilliant shade. Like chips of emeralds gifted to a mere man. Joni inhaled sharply to break the spell his presence put her under.

In the months since she'd made Enotia her home, and began training with the men, he'd never once set foot in this room while she trained, let alone offered to practice with her.

"What are you doing, Kyele?"

His brows winged up in feigned confusion. "Jaron mentioned your improvement and asked Torkel for approval on adding Team Two members to your sparring roster if available. I was selected to start and assess."

Joni remembered whining to Jaron about needing to switch it up. She wanted more challenge and thought taking on new partners would increase her skills and experience. He'd never mentioned it again so she'd let the subject drop.

Her gaze sought Jaron, who merely shrugged. No help there. Joni stretched her arms behind her back, extending the tight muscles and Kyele's hungry eyes followed the thrust of her breasts in the skimpy top. She'd expected the tension between them to eventually come to a head at some point but not like this.

"You want to train with me?" Her arched tone conveyed her thoughts on the matter.

The corner of Kyele's mouth curled, twisting the bottom edge of his scar. To her surprise and confusion, he removed the holster and tossed it aside. Arak snatched it from the air. Kyele's thigh sheath followed, his gaze never once turning away from Joni. He gripped the collar of his shirt and peeled it off next.

Tanned skin stretched taut over a finely made form. The muscles of his abdomen contorted with his every movement and her mouth went dry. He faced her wearing nothing but black pants and boots. Dark discs encircled deep bronze male nipples. Firm ridges on his abdomen led to a thin line of dark hair disappearing below the belted waist of his pants.

Joni swallowed and pressed her lips together. She wouldn't let him get to her because she found him attractive. "Fine!"

Joni braced her legs, arms out and tried to steady her breathing. Her focus zeroed in on his bare hands. "You're really not going to keep your knife?"

He answered in a smooth leveled voice. "I won't need it, Earthling."

Earthling. His version of an endearment. Heat stained Joni's cheeks, pride taking over as she launched for his smirking face. Kyele didn't dodge her initial attack and the tip of steel kissed the edge of his shoulder. He slid away to the left, a trail of red left behind.

"Kyele!" Joni stopped. Her heart sped up at causing him true harm. The others never let her get close enough to sustain a wound.

Kyele ignored her cry and swiped his leg out, throwing her off balance. Joni recovered with an awkward hop-skip.

"Are you going to cry when you injure your enemy?" The taunt held an edge of anger as he circled her.